Werewolf in a Girl's Dormitory

Retromedia Entertainment

Lycanthropus (aka Werewolf In A Girls' Dormitory) is a fusion of an Edgar Wallace whodunit and the more classic werewolf-on-the-rampage on an old estate formula and was created during the Golden Age of Italian horror. There are many close-ups of staring eyed corpses and snarling werewolves that recall Mario Bava's unequalled visual palette and camerawork.

The music of Armando Trovajoli is atmospheric, creepy and autumnal. The composer would score in his ethereal prose films such as Hercules In the Haunted World (1961) and the thundering dark majesty of Giant Of Metropolis (1962).

Exclusively for Retromedia Entertainment, actor Curt Lowens recorded an audio commentary with film historian David Del Valle (host of Vincent Price-The Sinister Image from All Day Entertainment). Obviously Lowens was reminiscing about the role of a lifetime as he turned down a small part for acclaimed director Luchino Visconti in The Leopard to join the ranks of screen werewolves. Like fellow actors Reggie Nalder (Barlow in Salem's Lot) or Ferdy Mayne (Count Von Krolack in Polanski's Dance Of the Vampires), Curt Lowens will always be remembered by horror fans for his one and only turn as a monster. The film also starred Barbara Lass (the first Mrs. Roman Polanski) and Carl Schell (brother of celebrated Maximillian Schell and Maria Schell). Luciano Pigozzi, the Peter Lorre of Italian fantascienza, portrays the institution's caretaker who is aware of far more than meets the eye.
-Christopher Dietrich